Artificial grass recycling is receiving increasing attention across the industry. As material transparency and product documentation become more important, many organisations are taking a closer look at how material composition influences future processing possibilities.
One of the key factors in this discussion is product design.
Understanding material complexity
Artificial grass systems can contain multiple materials, each selected for a specific function.
Common material types include:
- Polyethylene (PE)
- Polypropylene (PP)
- Latex and other backing materials
While these materials can perform well within a finished product, combining different material types increases overall material complexity.
This complexity can influence how materials are identified, documented and processed after use.
Why material composition matters
Different polymers have different physical characteristics and processing requirements.
When multiple materials are combined within a single product, additional steps may be required during handling and processing.
As a result, many product designers are increasingly considering material simplicity during the development stage.
The goal is not only to optimise product performance, but also to improve transparency around material composition.
Mono-material design
One approach receiving growing attention is mono-material design.
A mono-material product is developed around a single material family, creating a more consistent material structure throughout the product.
By reducing the number of material types within a product, material identification and documentation can become more straightforward. This principle is often associated with Design for Recycling, where future material pathways are considered during product development.
The ONE-DNA™ approach
ONE-DNA™ products are developed around a mono-material polyethylene design.
This approach focuses on:
- Material transparency
- Simplified material composition
- Product documentation
- Traceability
- Design for Recycling principles
By using a consistent material structure, ONE-DNA™ reflects a growing industry focus on material simplicity and documented product information.
The role of documentation
Material composition alone does not tell the whole story.
Increasingly, project owners, municipalities and specifiers are also looking for:
- Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs)
- Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs)
- Product documentation
- Digital Product Passports
- Registration and traceability systems
Together, these tools provide greater visibility into product information throughout the product lifecycle.
Looking ahead
The future of artificial grass recycling is closely linked to decisions made during product development.
Material composition, product transparency and documentation all influence what options may be available after use.
For ONE-DNA™, this means continuing to focus on mono-material design, traceability and transparent product information, helping stakeholders make informed decisions based on documented facts rather than assumptions.
Update, October 2026: this article reflects the ONE-DNA™ range at the time of publication, based on polyethylene (PE). ONE-DNA™ now also includes a 100% PO route; see Technology for the current material routes.
Related: Sustainability · Technology
